Jan Luyken’s etching, “The Conversion of St Paul”, 1708 (2nd impression)

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“The Conversion of St Paul” (aka “La Conversion de Saint Paul”; “Paulus Bekeering” [titles inscribed in French and Dutch on plate]; “St. Paul on Road to Damascus”), 1708, plate 58 from a series of sixty-two Old and New Testament biblical prints first published by Pieter Mortier (1661–1711) in 1708. This impression is from either the 1729 or the 1743 edition published by Jan Covens (1697–1774) and Corneille Mortier (fl.1688–c1743) in “Biblia Sacra, dat is, de H. Schriftuer van het Oude, en het Nieuwe Testament, naer de laetste Roomsche keure der gemeine Latijnsche overzettinge, in nederduitsch vertaeld (...)”. (Note that this information is based on another dealer’s description selling the same print from the later 1743 edition: https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/wall-decorations/prints/antique-bible-print-conversion-paul-j-luyken-1743/id-f_9329201/.)

Etching on fine laid paper with wide margins and flattened centrefold.

Size: (sheet) 49 x 56.9 cm; (plate) 34.3 x 44.3 cm; (image borderline) 32.9 x 43.4 cm.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “Edit. à J. Covens et C. Mortier.”; (left of centre) “Paulus Bekeering. Handeling: IX.v: 4.”; (right of centre) “La Conversion de Saint Paul. Actes [sic] IX. vs: 4.”; (right) “Johannes Luyken Inv. et Fecit./ 58.”

State ii (of ii) with the change of publisher from Pieter Mortier I to his son, Corneille Mortier and Corneille’s brother-in-law, Jan Covens, and the erasure of the privilege. Lifetime/early impression (based on the crisp quality of the lines showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

Van Eeghen 3740 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 665, cat. no. 3740).

This publication is available for online viewing or free download at archive.org (note that the page numbering is challenging and the URL below may be helpful):

https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001866108/page/n295/mode/2up (see cat. no. 3740).

Condition: richly inked and well-printed, near faultless impression with generously wide margins and with the centre-fold of publication flattened. The sheet in near pristine/museum quality condition.

I am selling this museum-quality etching in an exceptionally fine state of preservation for AU$281 (currently US$198.57/EUR188.25/GBP157.97 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this spectacular etching portraying an unworldly blinding light—note how Luyken convincingly suggests a blazing spiritual light by strong tonal contrast and by contrast between the mechanically straight lines of the shafts of light with the organic curves of the silhouetted tree at left and the turmoil of fragmented curves of the soldiers below—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This is the second impression of this huge etching that I have listed. The previously listed copy has been sold.

This print has been sold 

Jan Luyken’s etching, “Gideon Defeats the Medianites”, 1708

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“Gideon Defeats the Medianites” (aka “Gidion verslaat de Medianiten”; “Gedéon défait les Madianites” [titles inscribed in Dutch and French in the plate]), 1708, plate 27, from a series of sixty-two Old and New Testament biblical prints first published by Pieter Mortier (1661–1711) in 1708 in Amsterdam in “Icones Biblicae Veteris et Novi Testamenti”. This impression is from the 1732 edition published in Amsterdam by Jan Covens (1697–1774) and Corneille Mortier (fl.1688–c1743) in “Histoire les plus Remarquables de l'Ancien et du Nouveau Testament” (Most notable stories from the Old and New Testaments).

Etching on fine laid paper with small margins

Size: (sheet) 36.5 x 47.8 cm; (plate) 33.7 x 43.6 cm; (image borderline) 32.1 x 42.5 cm.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “Edit. à J. Cóvens et C. Mortier.”; (left of centre) “^.Gidion verslaat de Medianiten. Judicum VIII.v.19”; (righr of centret) “Gedéon défait les Madianites. Juges VII.v.19.”; (right) “Johannes Luyken In. et Fecit./ 27.”

State ii (of ii)

Van Eeghen 3713 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 662, cat. no. 3713 [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001866108/page/n293/mode/2up]).

Van Eeghen (1905) offers the following description of this print: (Transl.) “The Midianites encamped in a plain are startled in the night by the three small bands of Gideon, which appear on the hills with their torches, and flee in disorder” (p. 662).

See also the description of this print offered by the Rijksmuseum:

http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.337022

For those unfamiliar with the portrayed Biblical scene, the following three verses of Judges 7:19-21 (New International Version) may be helpful:

“¹⁹ Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the edge of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after they had changed the guard. They blew their trumpets and broke the jars that were in their hands. ²⁰ The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” ²¹ While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.”

(https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%207%3A19-25&version=NIV).

Condition: richly inked and well-printed impression with flattened centre-fold and small margins around the platemark. There are remnants of previous mounting on the upper edges (recto), otherwise, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no tears, holes, folds, abrasions or significant stains.

I am selling this extraordinary and large etching showing the Medianite army fleeing into the night after having been startled by trumpets blaring, blazing torches and pots being smashed—note the shards of pitchers on the hillock at left—for AU$284 (currently US$211.60/EUR181.64/GBP153.71 at the time of this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing etching of epic proportions—a print that is so "packed to the rafters” with incidents that it can only be fully appreciated by slow examination—please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Jan Luyken’s etching, “Elijah’s Sacrifice Consumed by Heavenly Fire”, 1708

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“Elijah’s Sacrifice Consumed by Heavenly Fire” (aka “Elias Offerhande door ´t Vuur van de Hemel verteert”; “Holocauste d'Elie consumé par le Feu du Ciel”—titles inscribed in Dutch and French on the plate]; "Elias’ Sacrificial Hand Consumed by the Fire of Heaven"), 1708, plate 32, from a series of sixty-two Old and New Testament biblical prints first published by Pieter Mortier (1661–1711) in 1708. This impression is from the 1732 edition published in Amsterdam by Jan Covens (1697–1774) and Corneille Mortier (fl.1688–c1743) in “Histoire les plus Remarquables de l'Ancien et du Nouveau Testament” (Most notable stories from the Old and New Testaments).

Etching on fine laid paper with full margins as published on the right, top and bottom, but trimmed unevenly on the left and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 38.8 x 48 cm; (plate) 33.8 x 43.8 cm; (image borderline) 32.1 x 42 cm.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left of centre) “Elias Offerhande door ´t Vuur van de Hemel verteert. I Koningen. XVIII. v. 20.–38.”; (right) “Holocauste d'Elie consumé par le Feu du Ciel. I Rois. XVVV v. 20 … ./ 32.”

State ii (of ii)

Van Eeghen 3717 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 663, cat. no. 3717 [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001866108/page/n293/mode/2up]).

See also the description offered by the Amsterdam Museum:

https://data.collectienederland.nl/page/aggregation/amsterdam-museum/A-52473 & http://hdl.handle.net/11259/collection.61387.

Condition: richly inked and well-printed impression with flattened centre-fold and full margins as published on the right, top and bottom, but trimmed unevenly on the left and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. There are minor handling marks in the margins, otherwise, the sheet is in an excellent condition with no significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this extraordinary etching showing heaven sent fire igniting Elijah’s altar while in the background the altar constructed by the prophets of Baal remains unlit—from my understanding of the event, the kindling fire of the altar was a declaration from God to the Israelites to renounce their following of false prophets—for AU$284 (currently US$219.48/EUR183.97/GBP158.59 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing etching of epic proportions, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold 

Jan Luyken, “Sodom Destroyed by Fire”, 1704

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“Sodom Destroyed by Fire” (aka “Sodem door't Vuur Vergaan”; “Josué fait arréter Le Soleil & la Lune”—titles inscribed in Dutch and French on the plate]), 1704, plate 6, page 18, from a series of sixty-two Old and New Testament biblical prints first published by Pieter Mortier (1661–1711) in 1708. This impression is from the 1732 edition published in Amsterdam by Jan Covens (1697–1774) and Corneille Mortier (fl.1688–c1743) in “Histoire les plus Remarquables de l'Ancien et du Nouveau Testament” (Most notable stories from the Old and New Testaments).

Etching on fine laid paper with full margins as published and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 36.2 x 46.9 cm; (plate) 34 x 44.5 cm; (image borderline) 32.5 x 43.5 cm.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “Edit. à J. Covens et C. Mortier.”; (centre) “Sodem door't Vuur Vergaan. Gen. – XIX.”; (right of centre) “Sodom consumée par le Feu du Ciel. Genese XiC Pag. 18. 6”.

State ii (of ii) with the change of publisher from Pieter Mortier I to his son, Corneille Mortier and Corneille’s brother-in-law, Jan Covens, and the erasure of the privilege. Lifetime/early impression (based on the crisp quality of the lines showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

Van Eeghen 3241 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 586, cat. no. 3241 [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001866108/page/n211/mode/2up?]).

Condition: richly inked and well-printed impression with full margins as published and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper. The centre-fold of publication is flattened with a restored split on the lower margin fold-line. There is also a minor restoration (almost invisible) at the lower left corner and handling marks in the margins, otherwise the sheet is in an excellent condition with no significant stains or foxing.

I am selling this extraordinary etching showing a spectacularly large panoramic view of the fiery demise of Sodom, for AU$284 (currently US$214.82/EUR176.05/GBP160.76 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this amazing etching of epic proportions, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Jan Luyken’s etching, “Israel at Mount Sinai”, 1704

Jan Luyken (aka Johannes Luyken; Jan Luijken) (1649–1712)

“Israel at Mount Sinai” (aka “De Wetgeeving op den Berg Sinai” [The Law on Mount Sinai]; “Dieu donne sa Loi sur la Montagne de Sinai”; [God gives his Law on Mount Sinai]—titles inscribed in French and Dutch on plate]), 1704 (according to Van Eeghen’s [1905] cat. raisonné [p. 586]), plate 22 from a series of sixty-two Old and New Testament biblical prints first published by Pieter Mortier (1661–1711) in 1708. This impression is from the 1732 edition published in Amsterdam by Jan Covens (1697–1774) and Corneille Mortier (fl.1688–c1743) of “Histoire les plus Remarquables de l'Ancien et du Nouveau Testament” (Most notable stories from the Old and New Testaments) on page 63 (as inscribed on the plate).

For those unfamiliar with the Biblical description of this scene wherein God (through Moses) gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments, the following extract offered by BibleGateway from “The Book of Exodus”, chapter 19, verses 17–21 may be helpful:

“¹⁷ Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

¹⁸ All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had come down on it in fire. Smoke rose from the mountain like the smoke from a kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.

¹⁹ As the sound of the horn grew louder and louder, Moses was speaking, and the voice of God answered him” (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2019&version=GW).

Etching on fine laid paper with a small margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet.

Size: (sheet) 36.3 x 43.6 cm; (plate) 33.5 x 42.5 cm; (image borderline) 32.5 x 41.5 cm.

Lettered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “Edit. à J. Covens et C. Mortier.”; (left of centre) “De Wetgeeving op den Berg Sinai. Exod. XIX.”; (right of centre) “Dieu donne sa Loi sur la Montagne de Sinai. Exode XIX.”; (right) “Page. 63./ 22.”

State ii (of ii) with the change of publisher from Pieter Mortier I to his son, Corneille Mortier and Corneille’s brother-in-law, Jan Covens, and the erasure of the privilege. Lifetime/early impression (based on the crisp quality of the lines showing no sign of wear to the printing plate).

Van Eeghen 3243 (Pieter van Eeghen & Johan Philip van der Kellen 1905, “Het werk van Jan en Casper Luyken”, Amsterdam, Frederik Muller & Co., vol. 2, p. 586, cat. no 3243 [https://archive.org/details/gri_33125001866108/page/n211/mode/2up]).

Condition: richly inked and well-printed, near faultless impression with the centre-fold of publication flattened. The sheet in near pristine/museum quality condition with no tears, holes, losses, abrasions, stains, foxing or signs of handling and laid onto a support of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this museum-quality etching in an exceptionally fine state of preservation for AU$284 (currently US$202.61/EUR172.28/GBP157.13 at the time of this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries.

If you are interested in purchasing this spectacular etching portraying an unworldly spectacle of Mount Sinai with the scale and the grandeur of a Cecil B. DeMille film, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold